The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-10-13
ENTERPRISE.
THE ENTERPRISING CITY OF MILLS
HER PRESENT AND BRIGHT
FUTURE.

The II sFLECToR has endeayored to
write :. fair description of the many
good owns in this county, and THIS
week representative of this paper,
having business to transact at Enter
prise, took a stroll over the city and
jotted down a few of the many advan-
tages that Enterprise possesses.
In November, 1871, nearly sixteen
wears ago. the writer of this article first
saw Enterprise. A small grist mill,
owned and operated Mr.. C. Hoffman !;
one store, owned by Sem & Ehrsam q
blacksmith shop, TIVE residences, and
lots of vacant prairie unbroken by the
settlers plow, big mill dam and one
small water wheel, with oceans OF water
going to waste, were the only objects
that greeted the eye, and the lnforma-
ton given the ear by would-be wise
men, was Enterprise has reached her
limit, it is too near the county seat, !"
etc.; but Enterprise of today has
proven the folly of their prophesles,
and has rewarded more than one hum
dred fold the early settlers, who invest
ed in her corner, center, front and back
lots, main streets and suburbs.
The location for the town site was
chosen with an eye to business and
beauty of location. An unusual rapid
current of the Smoky Hill river over a
solid rock bed offered a superior lOca-
ton for dam across the river, where
solid foundation could be obtained, and
an endless supply of water could be
controlled and utilized. The first dam
built was in the sixties, and 1t stands
on it's adamantine base today as sub
stantial and solid as the day the mason
placed the last capstone thereon. With
what has and will furnish an ineXhaust-
ible water power to drive the mills,
factories and shops, almost without
number, Enterprise has at last re-
ceived the deserving name of the "Clty
of Mills
G. Hoffman's small mill Of 1871, in
1887 has grown to three large and sep
arate buildings, owned and operated by
G. Hoffman & Son, the main building
being built of stone, four stories in
height. The three mills combined
have capacity of turning out 600 bar
rels of flour per day, with 80 set of roll
lers and seven burs. Hoffman q Sons
Enterprise -four has reputation that
extends from the Mississippi river to
the Sierra Nevada mountains. For six
years J. c. Townley has been head mil
Ter, and the reputation of their brands
under his general supervision will al
ways rank at the top. Mr.. G. Hoffman,
the founder of the mill, was member
of the legislature few yeras ago, also
was elected treasurer of this county,
Hon. G. B. Hoffman, the junior men,
Der Of the firm, served the Enterprise
district of this county in the state leg
iSlature, where he soon won the re-
spect of his colleagues, and was recog-
nized as one of the leaders in the House.
The MesSrs. Hoffmans are interested
in several other enterprises, and are
public spirited men. G. Y. Topping is
their head bOokkeeper.
Several years ago, j. B. Ehrsam, who
is practical machinist, started small
machine shop at Enterprise. The ven
ture was successful, and owing to the
great demand for work and limited
room, four years ago the j. b. Ehrsam
Machine Co., was organized. A large
shop built of stone and brick, 200 feet
in length and two stories high, with an
l. for the moulding room, was erected.
The motor power used is also obtained
from the river. Under the general
supervision of Mr.. Ehrsam, with w.
e. Chapman, formerly of Leavenworth
and connected with the Great West
ern Manufacturing Company, as
foreman, and J. r. Hartman as
draught and pattern maker, and with
all the modern machinery and skilled
corps of workmen, the venture has been
most successful. They have fitted up
numerous fiouringmills in differentparts
of the west, and in every instance have
given the best of satisfaction. They
manufacture the Kaw Roller mill and
can furnish complete supplies for a
roller Touring mill. Forty men are en-
ployed in the shops, and owing to the
great increase in their business the
shops will be enlarged at once. j. Ii.
Hoffman, Democratic candidate for
clerk, is the bOokkeeper. He is ably
assisted by Miss Ehrsam, daughter of
j. B. Ehrsam. The power that runs
Hoffman & Sons large grain elevator
is obtained from the river. Notwith-
standing three large Touring mills,
machine shops and largo elevator are
all run by the power obtained from the |
river, four-ffths of the water in the |
stream runs smoothly over the cap
stones of the dam, its waters unbroken |
by the wheels of industry mighty
power that will never fail as long as
clouds gather and rain descends. Here
is certainly great opportunity for
other factories and shops.
There are several good substantial
stone and brick blocks in the city.
The Buhrer opera house block, erected |
by j. f. Buhrer some three years ago,
being the most imposing. The upper
story Mr.. Buhrer fitted up as neat opera
house with good stage and appropri-
ate scenery. Mr.. Buhrer occupies one
Of the store rooms in the block with
large stock of hardware, stoves, etc.
In the basement he has a large tin
shop.
On the corner of Factory and First
street, John B. Flack, an enterprising
young business man, is conducting a
large store of general merchandise.
He occupies double rooms. William
Poister and a. Olson are the gentle
manly head clerks of the establishment.
Mr.. POister is also interested in River
Park addition. i
There are two large and well kept
drug stores in Enterprise. One owned
by DIR. A. G. Eyth, the pioneer druggist
of Enterprise. Mr.. Eyth lately moved
i'm his nav store room md hos ono Of